Third alleged gang member arrested in Hesperia kidnapping case

HESPERIA -- The third man accused of kidnapping a couple, holding them hostage in a Hesperia trailer and reportedly assaulting and trying to kill them pleaded not guilty in Victorville Superior court Tuesday.

Manuel Barragan, 37, of Hesperia pleaded not guilty to three counts of kidnapping, one count of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and participation in a criminal street gang, court records show.

Barragan was arrested Monday night, nearly two weeks after San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies in Hesperia discovered the kidnapped couple, officials said.

Two other men, brothers Nicholas Hernandez, 23, of La Puente and Ralph Alfonso Hernandez, 31, of Victorville, were also named in the case and already pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.

On March 6, deputies were called out to a home in the 11000 block of Pinon Street in Hesperia for reports of an unknown disturbance, according to a news release.

Witnesses reported a seriously injured man reported he had just escaped from a Pinon Street home where he and a woman had been held captive and assaulted for some time, according to reports. Authorities did not specify how long the couple had been held against their will reportedly in a trailer on property Barragan owned.

Deputies found the woman inside the trailer.

The reportedly kidnapped man was taken to a hospital. The woman's injuries did not require treatment.

According to a complaint filed by the District Attorney's office, the three men allegedly kidnapped the couple in some sort of gang-connected crime.

The trio brought the couple to Barragan's home where the men allegedly assaulted the pair. In at least one instance, the male victim was reportedly attacked with a baseball bat.

The motive behind the attack was unclear.

The Hernandez brothers were arrested on the evening of March 6, officials said.

The brothers are scheduled to be in court tomorrow for a preliminary hearing. Barragan is expected back in Victorville court on March 27.

The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hesperia station at 760-947-1500.